The thing that kinda "lit my fire" to finish my manuscriptwas a conference that I really, really, wanted to go to in Dallas, TX. It was pretty pricey, $345 for just the entrence fee, but I knew that the only way I was going to get my published was through networking. Did I get an agent at this conference? No. But I did learn a lot about the business and I met so many awesome people who just furthered my love of writing. I attended another conference in July of that same year, only $75 for this one, and again, I met some pretty awesome people. So, this leads me to tip #4.Tip #4- Network like crazy!!If you have not googled "writing conferences in 2013," then stop reading this post and do so now!! But don't forget to come back and finish reading this post....it has some pretty good information!! Why should you attend a conference? Well, they offer classes that help you with your craft. Maybe you can't figure out how to fix your plot or one of your characters is a little flat and could use a boost. These classes are taught by people in the business who know where you are coming from. They are there to help you!! Why do you think you have to pay some big bucks?? Also, conferences are a great way to network with other newbie writers. Exchange cards (yes, you need cards) and go out to dinner. Talk about what you see for the future of your book and listen to them in turn. Talk with the vendors they have set up, you never know when they might have your book in their store. Mix and mingle at these conferences and get to know the people. Don't forget to talk to the head of the conference. You aren't brown nosing, you're networking!! But Laura, I just don't have the money to attend a big conference! That's okay!! Check your local library or things offered around your own city. That way you don't have to pay for a hotel!!Now go sign up for a conference or workshop!!

You read the title of this post right, this book, Writing Screenplays that Sell, is what started my dream of becoming a writer. When I was thirteen-ish, my mother took me to a mega bookstore and said that I could pick any book that I wanted and she would buy it for me. Any normal teenaged girl would have gone for Sweet Valley High or The Babysitters Club, but I was no normal teenaged girl. I was Laura, dreamer of all dreams. Why read a story that has already been written, when I had my own story to tell? I picked up this book and met my mother at the cash register. She gave me a funny look, asked if I was sure that I wanted this book, and then proceded to check out. I couldn't even wait to get home. I pretty much had the book finished before we had even made it home. I was hooked and in a really bad way. I started writing a silly screenplay about a group of friends who were being stalked by a killer. I look back on it and laugh, but I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to write films and produce them.Fast forward about fifteen years and I'm really excited to say that I'm about fourteen pages into writing the screenplay for my novel Dust. I'm very happy with what I've done so far. I also have been invited to the Dallas area for a screenwriting workshop with Ken Farmer. He's worked with Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Costner, two of my favorite actors. And who can forget Willie Nelson? I'm really excited about it and will fill you in on more of the details when I get them. Happy writing!!

While I was writing on my second novel, All About Gwen, today I started thinking about point of view. My first novel, Dust, is written from the viewpoint of my main character, Emily Johnson. I wrote it in first person because when I dreamed the idea for the novel, I was Emily. My second novel's main character is Gwen and while I was writing today I wanted to keep saying "Gwen" instead of "I." I've always believed in listening to your characters and how they want to be written and I'm scared to think that Gwen wants to be written in third person. I think of myself as a pretty good writer because my characters are a lot like me and so they sound like me. I don't write characters that I couldn't see being "real people." I was never an astronaut, and NASA thanks me for that, so I can't write like I know anything about space. My characters act and feel like an average twenty something female because that's what I am. I don't make my characters something that they aren't either. So, when Gwen wanted to me to write her story in third person, I freaked! I wrote 75,000 plus words in first person for so long, that I'm a little nervous bout tackling third person. Should I try a chapter both ways and see which one my group likes the best? Should I ignore Gwen and keep it in first person? I don't know!! Also, should I go back and forth between Gwen and her daughter who is also a main character in the book to see both of their viewpoints? I don't know!! HELP!! Please leave a comment if you have any advice for me=) Thanks!!P.S. Thanks in advance for not thinking I'm crazy for my characters talking to me. If you went to Lexicon, you should already know this happens a lot!!

While attending the Lexicon Writers' Conference this summer, I was drawn to a man who looked a lot like my grandpa. He passed away from cancer about five years ago and he was my number one supporter in everything that I did. The minute I saw Dave Kilby, I knew that I was supposed to be there. I had this feeling that both God and my grandpa were looking down on me and supporting my decision to be a writer. I went up to Dave and told him how I felt drawn to talk to him and come to find out...he lived in Kingwood!! He was there supporting his wife Karen Kilby. Karen approached me later that day and she was the nicest lady ever. She even reminded me of my grandma (another huge supporter of mine). Anyways, Karen has written many articles for Chicken Soup for the Soul and decided to write her own book entitled Becoming a Woman of Purpose A Thirty-One Day Devotional. Just recently Karen held a book signing at the Kroger located at the end of my street, so I just had to go!! I picked up a signed copy for my friend Christiana and me and can't put it down! I look forward to reading each story every morning before heading off to work. I suggest you click on the title of the book and purchase one today!!

Back in July I attended the Lexicon Writers' Conference in Denton, TX. I was a little nervous the first night because I didn't know anyone, so my friend Mariam and I attended the meet and greet dinner. The first writer I met was a man kind enough to share his table with us. His name was Louis Napoleon. I found him to be very interesting and passionate about his book and business. I sent him some interview questions, and here is what he had to say!1. What is your story "A Gangsta in the White House" about?A Gangsta In The White House is fiction. Set in Portland, Oregon and Washington,D.C., the story of Jamal David Evans, America's second African-American President.He is no Barack Obama, in looks, style, substance or motivation. And he is no friend ofthe American public that had so enthusiastically voted to make him the most powerfulman on the planet; he has one goal – divert billions from the U.S. Treasury to secretaccounts!

Story CharactersJamal David Evans… He had one motive, one goal – Get money! If it don’t money, it don’t make $en$e! LaShawn Evans…She wanted to be First Lady and get the last laugh at her high school class, who had ridiculed her for being poorly dressed; it was a life-long grudge turned into passion; her husband’s political success would be her revenge.Robert Parker (a.k.a. Slam)…Jamal Evans’ best friend from childhood, a multimillionaire drug kingpin who will do whatever is necessary to ensure the Senator wins the presidential election. His connection with the drug lords south of the borderand 3-billion dollars in drug money give Jamal Evans the financial edge.2. What do you want your readers to come away with after reading your novel?More than anything, I’d like readers to be entertained, to have a good read.3. When did you become interested in politics?In the 1960s, during the highly charged civil rights movement – Malcolm X had beenassassinated in 1965; Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy assassinated in 1968. I thought it was time for me to become more aware of the world I lived in, the “outside,”as I was incarcerated during all three events.4. What exactly is E-books by Crooks? How did it come to be?eBooks-by-Crooks Publishing is a for-profit business with a social mission, an online,user-friendly vehicle for prisoners and ex-prisoners on all levels of creativity and skills,with commissions paid to the writers. We provide carte blanche access to a world-wide marketing vehicle for “crooks who write books,” short stories, poetry,essays, and commentaries.eBooks-by-Crooks is a crime scene laboratory where readers can preview andpurchase uncensored, unapologetic literature written by crooks who write books. Names are changed to protect the guilty.5. Where can readers find your books?http://www.ebooks-by-crooks.com/about-us.htmlhttp://a-gangsta-in-the-whitehouse.com/I want to thank Louis for taking time out of his busy schedule for this interview. I hope you check out his books and stop by his website to find out more information about eBooks-by-Crooks. If you would like to promote your book, please send me a message through my Contact Form tab at the top of my website.

About a year ago I "came out of the closet" and told my friends and family that I was writing a book and hoping to make a living out of being a writer. I was really nervous about telling people about my book because you always get the same reaction..."Have you gotten an agent yet?" "When will your book be out?" "I've been writing a book too! Can you pass it on to someone for me?" I knew that I wanted to take this seriously, so I signed up for a conference in the DFW area. It was pretty pricey, but I knew that it was worth at least going to see if I was even good at this whole writing thing. I had a great time and had such good feedback from my book that I was instantly hit with the writing bug. I had to sign up for my next conference and the Lexicon conference was a few months after that. Here is my review of both conferences. DFW Writers' Conference: When I first went onto their website, I was blown away. The director of the conference had a blog that was updated regularly with author and speaker bios, tips on pitching sessions, and even success stories from the previous conferences. When I finally arrived at the conference, I was a little overwhelmed by how big it was. It was kind of nice to be surrounded by a large group of people who all wanted the same thing. I felt welcomed when I first arrived. The thing I liked most about DFW was the literary agents they had set up for us. It was my time to see if I actually had something. In the end, I met some really awesome people and have a new confidence in my writing abilities. The one thing I wish would change for next year is bigger classrooms, I had to sit on the floor for quite a few of them.Lexicon: I found Lexicon after doing a google search for conferences in the state of Texas. This one was far less expensive and was around the same DFW area that the other conference was. The director Mitch was quick to reply to my e-mails and I was excited to attend. I knew that this conference would be smaller than DFW and I was interested to see what it had to offer. The first night was a Meet & Greet and I was really nervous. How would people react to this young, unpublished author? I was shocked at how nice and welcoming everyone was! The director Mitch was never too busy to have time for you and the other authors had so much advice to share! I felt right at home among the others and everyone just seemed so excited to be there. The classes were full of information and even has me excited about writing the screenplay of my novel! In the end, I really had a great time and met so many new lifelong friends.Overall, both conferences offered me two different things. DFW offered me a chance to meet with big named people and Lexicon offered a chance to network and learn from already published authors. If you are looking at attending these conferences I would highly recommend them. Especially if you are a self-published author, Lexicon is the place to be. If you are just starting out and not sure about what to do, DFW is a great place to get your foot in the door.I hope this post was helpful!!